Wind deflector



April l, 1941. F. s. WHEELER 2,236,615

WIND DEFLECTGR Filed May 22, 1959 lNvENToR fbx/v1( 5. WHEELEQ' l ATroRNEY Patented Apr. ll, 1941 UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE wrNn DEFLEc'ron. Frank S. Wheeler, Hollywood. Calif.

Application May zz, 1939, serial No. 274,868

(c1. 29e-s4) 12 claims.

This invention relates to a wind dellector and has particular reference to means for deflecting air currents away from an open window of an automobile, or the like, when in motion.

Many automobiles in common use at present employ front'doors each having a main window movable up and down and a ventilator window movable about a vertical axis so as to deilect or otherwise cause air to be circulated through the automobile. These ventilator windows when properly adjusted and when the main windows are closed, enable the interior of the car to be ventilatedfwithout causing undue or uncomfortable drafts or currents of air. However, when the main windowsvare open, as required by law in some states, and as advisable in any event for permitting the arm to protrude through the window opening for signaling purposes, an undue amount of draft takes place through the main windows due to the forward motion of the automobile.

One object of the present invention is to reduce drafts or undue air currents through the open I n specification read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view with parts broken away of an automobile and air deilector attached thereto embodying my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the automobile and is taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. `1-.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of a preferred form of post assembly in accordance with my invention and is taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through an ornamental tongue member or llet adapted vto be applied to the post assembly shown in Fig. 3 when the air deflector is not attached thereto.

Fig. 5 is an alternative form of attachment for an air deector. 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of an autov mobile employing an alternative form of mount- -ing for an air deilector.

Fig. I lis a transverse sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of the post and deflector assembly shown in Fig. 6 and is taken along the line 8--8 of that figure.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the deflection of air currents past an automobile when employing air deilectors in accordance with my present invention.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view, similar to that of Fig. 9 illustrating the deection of air currentswhen using a modified form of air deflector in accordance with my invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the deilector III is shown as being attached to a stationary guiding and weather sealing post I I constructed in accordance with the present invention and extending across the window opening I2 of an automobile I3. The usual main window Il is movable 4up and down in the opening I2 to the rear of opening at an angle of approximately 35 with the plane of the window I4.' Although the width of deflector Ilfrom the forward to the rear edge thereof may be varied as desired, I have found that a width of approximately ve inches is satisfactory for most 'types of automobiles.

The deilector I 0 has extensions I9 and 20 at lthe upper and lower ends thereof, respectively,

which extensions extend above and belowthe upper and lower edges, respectively, of the window opening I2. The contour of extension I9 is so formed as to llt under a rain guard 2| securedto the. door I8 of automobile I3 above the ventilator window I5. the purpose of increasing the deflection of both Wind and rain away from the window opening I2. The remainder of the contour of the extension Il is so formed that it somewhat follows the curved contour of the upper sill or edge surface 22 (Fig. 2) of the door and,4further, forms a rounded corner which conforms to the various rounded corners of the automobile, thereby to present alpleasing appearance. The extension 20 is likewise rounded land is preferably of the same contour as the extension I9 allowing the deilector to be changed end for end on the right or left post II. Thecon'tour of yextension 20 also follows the curved contour of the adjacent sill surface 22' of door IB. Due to the extensions I9 The extension I9 thus serves and 2|) projecting above and below the upper and lower sill edges of the window opening I2 as well as to the way in which the contour of these extensions I9 and 20 closely follow the adjacent surfaces 22 and 22' of the door I8 any tendency f for a draft of air over or under the denector I and into the window opening I2 therebehind will be materially reduced.

Fig. 3 illustrates a preferred form of post construction, formed in accordance with my invention, for supporting the deector I0 with theforward edge thereof adjacent the forward edge of the main window I4. Post I| comprises a single sheet of metal having an inner portion 23 forming one leg of a window guiding and sealing channel l5 29 and having another portion 24 thereof bent back on portion 23 and thence extending at right angles thereto to form the bottom of the channel. A portion of the remainder of the metal sheet is bent parallel to the portion 23 at 25-to form the other leg of the channel 29. A portion 26 is bent back upon portion or leg to form one leg of a second channel. The remainder of the sheet is bent U-shaped to form the second leg 21 of the second channel which extends parallel to the rst channel 29. A sealing strip 28 of mohair, or the like fabric, is secured to the inner surface of the main channel 29 and forms a weather seal for the forward edge of the main window I4 as well as to guide this window up and down and prevent rattle, as is well known. A soft rubber strip 30 is secured to the back portion of the post II so' as to form a weather seal for the ventilator window I5 when this ventilator window is closed.

The deiiector I0 is secured in the channel of av channel member 3|, there being a binding strip. |32 therebetween to secure the deector I0 within the channel formed in member 3|. It will be noted that member 3| is formed of two sheets 3| and 3|", one of which forms one side of the channel member 3| and the other of which forms the other side. Both sheets are secured together, as by welding, at the forward ends thereof to form a tongue 32 slidably fitted in the second and smaller channel formed in the post II. One of a 4,- series of screws 33 provided along post II is shown as being passed through co-extensive apertures in the outer leg 2l and in the tongue 32, and is threaded in the leg 26 and part of leg 25 of post II to secure the deilector assembly to the 50 post. It will be noted that the deilector I0 is bevelled at its forward edge 34 andv that the channel member 3| is correspondingly formed so as to present an edge35 perpendicular to the leg 21 of post II. This construction enables unobstructed use of a screw driver or similar tool for inserting or removing the screws 33.

Since both ends of the deflector assembly including defiector III and channel member 3| are of the same shape, all deiiector assemblies may be identical with each other and used interchangeably on either side of the automobile.

Should it be desirable to remove the deector assembly. as in hot weather, or in shipping a car, a niiet memberv 3.3 (Fig. 4) having a tongue 3l of the same dimensions as tongue 32 may be replaced in the channel previously occupied by the tongue 32 of the deiiector assembly soas to present a pleasing appearance to the post assembly. Fillet member 33 has a series of apertures one oi 70 which is shown at 36, `corresponding in position to the apertures formed in the tongue 32 whereby the screws `33 may be usedto secure'the fillet member tothe post II.

Fig. 5 illustrates analtemative form of attach- 75 ment for the deector I0. In this case. the deflector I0 is attached to the usual window post II', which is in common use in existing automobiles at the present time. Post I I is formed of a single sheet to present a channel having legs 39 and 40. A sealing strip 26' is formed in the channel provided by the post to seal and guide the forward edge of the window I4. In this case, the forward edge of the detlector I0 is received in a channel member 4 I there being a binding strip 42 therebetween to secure the deflector In in the channel member 4I. Member 4| issecured to a base strip 43 which extends along the post between the top and bottom of the window opening in any suitable manner, as by welding. Strip 43 is bent at the forward portion'thereof to nt against the outer face of leg4|| of post I I'. One of a series of bolts 44 is passed through apertures formed in the post 40 and the strip 43 and has a head 45 thereon which rests against the inner surface of the leg 43. A nut 46 is secured on the threaded end of the bolt 44 to removably clamp the strip 43, and consequently, the deilector assembly to the post I I.

Figs. 6, 'l and 8 show an alternative form of deflector assembly embodied in my present invention for an alternative form of existing window construction. In this type of construction, a main window |4 and a ventilator window I5' similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are provided in the same relative position. However. a sealing post 41 representativeof the type in com mon use at present and forming a sealing member between the window I4 and ventilator window l5' is secured to the forward edge of the main window I4' and is movable up and down therewith. In this case, a separate` vertical post 46 in accordance with my invention is provided to support the deflector I0. Post 46 extends closely adjacent the outer surface of post 4l and has curved extensions 49 and 5|) (Fig. 7) at the top and bottom thereof which fit against the top and bottom sill edges of the window opening I2 of the door I8'. Bolts 5I and 52 are provided to secure these upper and lower extensions 46 and 50 to the upper and lower window sill formations on the door I8'. A channel 53 is formed in the post 48 to receive a tongue 54 of a channel member 55 similar to that of 32 (Fig. 3). One of a series of screws 66 is shown as extending through apertures formed in the outer leg of the post 46 and n `window I4 and its post 4l.

A further feature of the invention resides in the construction of the channel member (Fig.

8) to present a more finished and pleasing appearance for the connection between this member and the transparent defiector I3. The binding strip 3l of exible material, similar to that of |32 in Fig.` 3 and 42 in Fig. 5 extending between the forward surfaces of the deilector I3 and theinner' surfaces of the channel formed in member Il, has the edges 3| thereof terminating a shorter distance from the bottom of the channel in member 33 than the adassuma jacent legs ofthe member Il. The end portions, as at I2, oi the adjacent legs of member 55, extending beyond the edges BI of the binding stripll,v are bent inwardly until they touch the adjacent surfacesyof the deilector Il. This construction hidesthe edges of the binding strip SII and forms a neat connection between the denector Il and 'channel member Il.

`'l'he operation and advantages of the deflector I will be readllyunderstood on reference to the diagrammatic view of Fig. 9. Due to the forward motion of the automobile I3, relatively moving air currents as indicated by the arrows I4 flow rearwardly along the sides of the automobile I3. On striking the deilector Il these aix-.currents are deflectedvoutwardly away from the window opening I2. By so arranging the angle and width of the deflector Il, these various air currents will be deflected a suiilcient amount to prevent them from being again directed inwardly toward the opening l2 until the'rear edge I3 has travelled in advance of these returning air currents.

It will be noted that the denector Il does not materially affect the operation of the ventilator window Il. Thus, the ventilator window I5 may be employed as usual to deflect or otherwise direct any. desired amount of air currents into the automobile for ventilation or otherwise.

Fig. illustrates an additional feature of my invention wherein the deilector Il' is curved outwardly away from the plane of the window opening I2 as at il to further increase the outward deflection of the air currents Il' away from the window opening I2. Due to this increased outward deflection of the air currents,

the deflector Il' may be made narrower than is usually necessary while still obtaining the desired amount of deflection away from. the window opening I2. In lieu of glass, transparent plastic material which may be easily molded, may be used for the defiector I0 to facilitate shaping the same.

It should be understood that although my invention has been described in connection with and is particularly applicable to automobiles, it is not meant to be restricted to use therewith but may be applied lto trains, airplanes, etc.

- I claim:

1. Means for controlling air currents through the side window opening of a vehicle having a main window movable up and down in said opening, a ventilator window in said opening in advance of said main window and movable outwardly to open the same and a window post between said windows, which comprises a deilector, and means positioning said deilector adjacent said opening with the forward edge thereof positioned adjacent and laterally removed from said post and the forward edge of the main window portion of said opening, said defiector extending rearwardly to deiiect .air away from said main window.

2. Means for controlling air currents through the window opening in the side door of a vehicle having a main window movable up and down and a ventilator window in advance of said main window and movable outwardly to open the same, which comprises a substantially vertical stationary post intermediate said main window and said ventilator window, an air defiector terminating in a flange. and means for removably securing said iiange to said post, said deiiector extending rearwardly and outwardly from said post.

3. In a vehicle having a side windowI opening, a windowV movable up and down in said opening, an air deector terminating in a flange, an elongated U-shaped channel member outside the plane of movement of said window, and means removably securing said flange in said channel member.

4. Means for controlling air currents through the side window opening on a vehicle having a window movable up and down in said opening and a ventilator in said opening in advance of said window and movable to open the same which comprises a substantially vertical post, said post having a channel therein for guiding the forward edge of said window, and .having a second channel therein parallel to said first mentioned channel, an air deilector, means on said deector forming a tongue adapted to be tted in said second channel, and means for securing said tongue in said channel.

5. An assembly adapted to be positioned in the side window opening of a vehicle to form a seal between a window and a juxtaposed ventilator in said opening which comprises a sheet having a portion thereof substantially U-shaped to form a channel for guiding one edge of said window and having another portion also substantiatlly U-shaped to form a second elongated channel parallel to said first mentioned channel, a tongue substantially as long as the height of said window, and means for securing said tongue in said second channel. l

6. An assembly adapted to be positioned in the side Window opening of a vehicle to form a seal between a window and a juxtaposed ventilator in said opening which comprises a sheet having a portion thereof substantially U-shaped to form a channel for guiding one edge of said window and having another integral portion thereof bent back on one of the legs of said U- shaped channel and forming the leg of a second elongated channel, means forming a tongue removably iltted in said second channel. and

spaced means passing through the sides of said second channel for securing said Vtongue in said second channel,

7. Means for controlling air currents through the side window opening of a vehicle having a window movable up and down in said opening, a ventilator in said opening in advance of said window and movable to open the same and a post intermediate said window and said ventilator which comprises, means on said post forming a vertically extending channel, an elongatedV tongue member removably fitted in said channel. means on said tongue forming a second channel, an air deflector, and spaced means removably securing said tongue in said second channel, said second channel forming an angle with said tongue.

8. A transparent pane assembly comprising a U-shaped channel member, a exible binding strip lining the inner walls of said channel to form a pane receiving channel and terminating a shorter distance from the bottom of said first mentioned channel than the legs of said first mentioned channel and a transparent pane fitted within said second mentioned channel, the end portions of the legs of said channel member extending beyond said binding strip being bent inward to substantially touch the opposite surfaces oi said p ane.

9. A transparent pane assembly comprising a U-shaped channel member, a iiexible binding strip lining the inner walls oi said channel to form a second channel, at least one of the legs of said second channel terminating a shorter distance from the bottom o! said nrst mentioned channel than the adjacent leg oi said channel member and a transparent pane i'itted within said second channel. the end portions of said channel member leg extending beyond the adjacent leg ot said binding strip being bent inward to substantiatlly touch the adjacent surface oi' said pane.

10. A post assembly adapted to be positioned in the side window opening of a vehicle to form a seal between a window and a juxtaposed ventilator in said opening in advance of said window which comprises a sheet having a portion thereoi substantially U-shaped to iorm a channel for guiding one edge ci said window and having an other integral portion thereof bent back on one o! the legs oi said u-shaped channel and forming thelegoissecondelongatedchannelsubstantiallyssiongastheheightoisaidwindomsaid second channel extending parallel to said iirst mentioned channel and opening into the same side ot said post assembly as said first mentioned channel to receive a tongue.

1l. A post assembly according to claim 10 which comprises an air deilector. means adjacent one end oi' said deiiector forming a tongue, and means for removably securing said tongue in said second channel. l

12. A post assembly accordln! to claim l0 comprising a iillet member substantially as long as said second channel, means on said member forming a tongue. and means for securing said tongue in said second channel.

FRANKB. 

